Vatican City ETIAS
The smallest independent state in the whole world by area and population and yet one of the most culturally influential places that ever existed, Vatican City is enclaved in Italy’s Capital City of Rome.
ETIAS facts to Vatican City:
Vatican City State to be part of the ETIAS Area starting from 2025
ETIAS will be necessary to access Vatican City for short term visitors from 60 Visa Waiver Countries
ETIAS allows for a stay in the Vatican and the whole Schengen Area never to exceed 90 days in 6 months and only for tourism, business, transit or medial therapy
ETIAS applicant’s passport must have 3 months of remaining validity since the day they plan to leave Europe.
A few words on the peculiarity of the Vatican City State
The smallest independent state in the whole world by area and population and yet one of the most culturally influential places that ever existed, Vatican City is enclaved in Italy’s Capital City of Rome.
Formally not part of either EU or the Schengen Area Vatican City State, whose cultural bonds to Italy and Europe as a whole are undeniably solid, shares monetary union to Europe and also has no border enforcement of any kind making it what is called a de facto member of the Schengen Area.
Since its does not have any seaport or airport, entering Vatican City automatically implies entering via land and having hence to transit through at least one Schengen Country which is Italy.
By virtue of these facts, starting from 2025, entering Vatican City to visitors that hold Visa Waiver rights to Italy and the Schengen Area in general, will imply the need to obtain a valid ETIAS.ETIAS application formalities
To submit their application for ETIAS all candidates, including minors, are asked to fill out a brief form where they are to report, in a complete and truthful way, their personal data and contact details, scheduled travel details and a short set of background check questions.
Once the application has been paid for and sent through and the feedback is available, in most cases within 72 hours and with a positive response, ETIAS Visa Waiver will be sent to the personal e-mail of each individual applicant.
ETIAS Visa Waiver to citizen is than valid for 3 years starting, or until passport expiry date, from its date of issue and allows for multiple entries in Europe provided that each trip complies with the general limitations for purpose and duration of stay as mentioned above.Travelling on a valid ETIAS
When arriving in the ETIAS Europe, whether air, land or seaway, Border Control Officers can at any time exercise the authority to ask ETIAS holders to present supporting documents to assess the purpose of their travel and to make sure there is no intention whatsoever to overstay inside the ETIAS Area.
Among the supporting documents that might be required are:
Return ticket to the country of origin or onwards ticket to a non-ETIAS country where the person has a proven right to enter (e.g. A valid visa or visa waiver rights)
Health travel insurance
Proof of sufficient funds to support one’s stay in the ETIAS AreaAny individual willing to work, study or reunite with their family on a long-term basis will not be considered eligible for ETIAS and is still required to apply for Consular Schengen Visa.
Voyagers that willing to explore more of Europe’s touristic beauties and business opportunities must remember that ETIAS is only necessary and valid for journeys to the 34 European Countries that are to some extent connected to the Schengen Area. Despite being a member of the European Union, the Republic of Ireland (EIRE) does not belong to Schengen and therefore does not require ETIAS to Visa Waiver visitors while it enforces it national immigration rules that might differ from the general European ones.
For additional details on ETIAS to Vatican City it is advised to also check the section referring to ETIAS application to the Republic of Italy.